1992 (#25) - Olivia's ovarian cancer, pregnancy risks and the birth of Nate

If for Drucilla things are not going well at all, so much so that she wants to leave town for a period of reflection, the same cannot be said for Olivia, who is literally on cloud nine. In fact, Olivia is living a wonderful and very fortunate period of her life thanks to the joys of her family, namely her marriage to Nathan and the awaited birth of their child. However, Olivia cannot imagine having to face one of the hardest trials that life has ever reserved for her. It all starts with a strong influence of the woman, which doctors attribute to a dangerous infection in the uterus. Shocked that the child's pregnancy prevents the woman from being able to cure the infection, Olivia firmly rejects any talk about the possibility of abortion. And although Nathan begs her not to put her life at risk, Olivia says she is ready for anything in order to carry the pregnancy to term, even more so after doctors have revealed to the woman that she has ovarian cancer and is unlikely to be able to have any more children. Initially, Olivia asks Nathan to hide the situation from her family, but when she is forced to go to the hospital, a distraught and anxious Drucilla returns to town, unexpectedly showing herself to be closer to her sister than she could have believed. To support Olivia, then, there is of course also Lillie Belle, hosted with Walter at Mamie's, who certainly can't miss such a delicate moment for her daughter. It is precisely at this juncture that Lillie Belle, once again, shows all the attachment and love for Olivia that she has never shown for Drucilla. In the meantime, the doctors, more and more worried about Olivia's health and that of her unborn child, decide to perform a cesarean section and deliver the baby, even if prematurely. Waiting any longer, in fact, would only put Olivia's life at risk and she must start treating the tumor as soon as possible. In the end, Olivia gives birth to little Nate, who receives all the joy and love of Nathan, Drucilla and Lillie Belle, while Olivia undergoes a hysterectomy and slowly begins her recovery. This is a very important moment for the Barber family, which finds itself happier and more united than ever around Olivia and little Nate. This union and closeness obviously accentuates the contrasts between Drucilla and her mother, even though the girl can console herself for the fact that she has found the love of Neil, with whom she makes peace thanks to Olivia who urges the man to give her sister a second chance, and for the ballet, having decided to resume her lessons.